Monday, December 29, 2008

Mr. Wonderful and I went out shopping a couple of weeks ago. It was really fun and I tried clothes on for him, as he sat in a plush chair and assumed the 'Sugar Daddy' role. It was like a trip back to the 60s and reminded me of when I was a child and my Dad would take my Mom out shopping. Back then, all women's boutiques had comfy chairs where the men would relax, while the ladies paraded around for them in the latest fashions.
I worked in an upscale ladies clothing store back in the 80s in Tulsa called Aberson's, and we threw a 'special party' for husbands a few days prior to Christmas each year. We served champagne and snacks and because I was 17 years old at the time, I 'got' to model a few things, especially the fur coats. It was a brilliant marketing move and I'm certain that we helped make a lot of women happy on Christmas morning!
Nowadays men rarely accompany women on shopping trips. We have our own money, don't need anyone to drive us, are generally more independent than women were in the 60s. I remember my mother used to sign her name as 'Mrs. Husband's First Name and Last Name'. I have never done that! However, I love it when a man opens a door for me and our 'Sugar Daddy Shopping Trip' was loads of fun.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Each year, my boss and I decorate another boss's deer head for the holidays. There have been many themes, this year was an Island Christmas. Seriously, you cannot have something like that in your office and expect me not to mess with it. I try, but resistance is futile. It does creep me out to touch it, though.
Around the house, I have put up three trees. The big one in the living room with all of the assorted ornaments and pics of the kids in little frame ornaments.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. A friend's significant other made the gorgeous wreath for me.
This is my little Texas tree in the foyer, complete with red pepper lights and Texas/cowboy themed ornaments.
In the niche, we have the Isla tree, with shells and a starfish at the top.
Yesterday we opened gifts and watched 'Elf' and 'The Office' with my parents and my niece. Today we are having our big Christmas feast. The Roast Beast is in the oven, the table is beautifully set, and the relatives are on their way. I hope y'all are having a lovely Christmas weekend!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Bitchmas was a fabulous affair, as always. I went to Tulsa to visit my parents and also to celebrate with my girlfriends. We found this lovely sign on the way in a truck stop in Atoka, OK. I love me a festive potty!
We went out to breakfast Saturday morning with my parents at BBD. They have cinnamon rolls to die for!
My Mom and C
There was a Christmas run going on right outside the restaurant and there were dogs all dressed up in Christmas costumes! For me? How sweet!
After breakfast we went over to Mr. Wonderful's brother's house for a visit. As we rounded the corner, an evil snowman tried to attack us! Ahhhh!!!!!
C and cousin
Bitchmas dinner was at the Celebrity Club. It used to be a private supper club back in the 60s and the decor is vintage. Big plush red booths, lush red walls and gold accents. The food is fabulous.
Me and Scott
Sharon and Laura
Angela
Laurie and Toni
Laurie made wine with a Bitchmas label that is so cool!
I made glasses!
We returned to Toni's casa for more Bitchmas fun and I acquired the 'Tower O Booze' in the Dirty Santa Game.
More friends showed up and there was much wine drinking and festiveness!
Even Toni's dad enjoyed the party. (That's him...well, part of his ashes in the little silver urn in the kitchen window) Weird!
Happy Bitchmas to everyone!

Friday, December 19, 2008

If there's one thing that has always gotten me in the Christmas spirit, it's my children's Christmas plays. When my oldest (now 17) was little and in Montessori, he was absolutely the cutest Christmas tree you've ever seen!
(Sorry, I had to scan these from a scrapbook!)
Last year, my daughter was still in After School Care at Montessori, and she had the lead in the play, as Martina the Moose. Her singing was fantastic! The play was a hit.
In previous years, she was Audrey Hepburn (the Ghost of Christmas Past)
and one year she was a little girl baking cookies with her Grandma. C had worked her way up in the ranks, so to speak, and has a beautiful singing voice. She's not afraid to get up in front of people to sing because she's been doing it since she was four years old.
This year was C's first year out of Montessori and we were left with no Christmas play. How would I get into the spirit without cardboard gingerbread house sets, flubbed lines, toy soldiers and crying two year olds?
We called the school and found out when their play was and went anyway! As we approached the door, a couple of ladies said to C, "Oh, you were the Moose last year! You were wonderful". (beam!) When we walked in, all of the teachers (including Ms. Alvarez, who had been J's teacher 15 years ago, gave C big hugs. The younger kids were delighted to see her and several parents commented that they missed her singing.
Oh, behold! There were crying two year olds onstage, one who pulls her dress up, one who dances like a maniac, one who waves non stop to his parents. We had off key singing, darling red velvet dresses and tiny bow ties. And then, at the end of the show, the older kids got up to sing. I saw a beautiful angel with glittery white wings and... be still my heart....there was my son's Christmas Tree costume -- on a little boy, singing his heart out. (we had donated the costume to the school, as it was too cute not to use every year).
It started at my toes and it worked it's way up my spine and exploded above my head as the kids onstage sang Adeste Fidelis. It was beautiful! Christmas spirit was here.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me".
Do you remember that song? Well, yesterday I decided that I was tired of being angry with my ex husband (and those of you who know...know that I have a lot to be angry about) and I told him that I was extremely hurt by his actions toward me and our kids over the last couple of years and invited him out for a drink to talk about it.
Of course I had Mr. Wonderful's support. I'm sure he's tired of listening to it.
I had decided that I was either going to let Xman ride peacefully in my trolley of life (Wayne Dyer metaphor - he's awesome) or throw him under the wheels of it and be done.
So we met and got a lot hashed out. He explained what he was going through during this time in depth (married to absolute crazy woman for 6 months...it was hell on all of us) and he even kind of apologized, which is a big step for him. We talked about how lucky I am to have Mr. Wonderful and what a good and stable step dad he is for our kids. We talked about what incredible kids we have together.
Before we left, Xman told me that out of all of the women he's dated, been engaged to, been married to or known (yep, that pretty much covers half of the county) that he was so glad that I was the mother of his children. Now, I have to say that out of that pool, I am wayyyyy down low on the crazy scale, but still - it was a nice compliment. I told him that if I started getting mad at him that we'd meet back up for another drink.
I harbor no illusions that everything will be perfect from here on out. This is not a 30 minute Christmas Special in which I'm played by Jean Smart. I know he's going to do things in the future that piss me off. I give it a week or so, in fact. However, I am making an early New Years Resolution to handle this relationship in a new way. It's better for my kids and it's much healthier for me.
A lady that I used to work told me a story once about her ex husband. She was so incredibly angry with him and when he suddenly died, she found that the anger didn't die off with him and she had to get it out somehow. Since he had donated his body to medicine, there was no grave for her to visit, so she pulled up in the parking lot of Southwest Medical Center one afternoon and yelled her lungs out at him there. She laughed and said 'People probably thought I was crazy, but I didn't care. I felt better."
Peace and goodwill aren't always easy. It's a Christmas gift I'm giving myself. I urge you to let go of a grudge, mend a rift in a relationship, reach out to someone. Will you be opening yourself up to the possibiltiy of more hurt? Absolutely. But then again...it might just work out for you. The jury's still out on this one, but I have hope.
(Cue singing children)
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
(and...cut) LOL

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

When I was a little girl back in the 70s my parents used to take us for a little ride out to Catoosa, Oklahoma (just outside of Tulsa, where we lived) to visit a jeweler named Wolf Robe Hunt. He was native American and went by the name 'Chief Wolf Robe' and as a child, I had no doubts that he was a Chief. I loved going to his shop because we were allowed to play outside, with all of the cats while my parents shopped for turquoise and silver jewelry. Every once in a while, the curtain would draw back and you would get a peek at Chief Wolf Robe and to me, it was like the man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz.
My parents still have several pieces of his jewelry and this ring was handed down to me. (I apologize that in the pic both my nails and the ring need polishing) It's still very much in style and I get lots of compliments when I wear it. I saw one of Wold Robe's bracelets on ebay the other day, but it had big silver eagles on the sides of a large piece of turquoise -- not really my style. It was over $200. I don't have any idea how much my Mom and Dad paid for these pieces, but I know that I treasure mine. It reminds me of the 70s and that's groovy.
Speaking of groovy, check out my seasonal blog banner! My friend, Dale, made it for me as a surprise today and I just love it. Check out her blog link -- Sea Dream Studios. Her artwork is so beautiful and whimsical. It's like nothing you've ever seen. She also made me some cards to go with the Sea Glass jewelry that I sell. Hmmm...I could open a shop and be Chief Moongrl. I DO make a good Indian!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Happy Holidays from Ozzy aka Mr. Luxurious
Tonight is Mini Diva Christmas party for C and her friends. I took five 11 year olds (four girls and one lucky guy) out to dinner at Panda Express (even tho I've told them they shouldn't eat Panda, as it's an endangered species.)
C and her future husband--we have an arrangement with his family
Then, we went over to our city's gorgeous new shopping center that looks like a cute little town and went on a carriage ride.
They had so much fun and waved at everyone and were so cute as we cruised through a winter wonderland of lights and people shopping.
They loved on our horse, Hawk.
And were even kind enough to pose for some cute shots before we hit Starbucks for hot chocolate.
While we enjoyed our hot chocolate outside in the perfectly cool Texas night, a little girl about four years old walked by with her Grandpa. She was mesmerized by the 'big' kids and their Santa hats. Grandpa told her that they must work for Santa and her eyes got real big. C and her friends talked to the little girl and found out what she wanted for Christmas, promising to pass the info on to Santa. It was ridiculously cute.
On the way home, we all sang Christmas songs at the top of our lungs along with the radio and finished decorating our gingerbread house when we got home. What a wonderful evening. They are so much fun.
Miss J shows off her fabulous attitude look
For Sale by ballerina owner: Single family home with an almond roof, pez porches and an m and m chimney. Sweet deal. (heh heh heh)
Merry Christmas!
(look on the floor -- even Buddah is wearing a Santa hat -- that's just weird)

It's All About Me

My soul is the color of the turquoise sea that surrounds Isla Mujeres, the island that I love. In reality I live Texas. I am the Goddess of my own religion and I prefer calm to chaos, cats to dogs and silver to gold. I play by my own rules and could live on Paciugo Caramel Sea Salt Gelato.